Area schools, colleges receive grants

December 18, 2013

Area schools and colleges impacted by rapid growth in western North Dakota will receive grants from the Board of University and School Lands, according to a press release issued by the office of Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

Nearly $5.6 million in grants will go to 24 K-12 schools and $4 million to higher education institutions. Area schools receiving funding follow:

McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 will receive $1.376 million in grant funding to purchase land needed for the construction of another school.

Nesson Public School District No. 2 in Ray will receive $750,000 in grant funding to provide teacher housing.

Grenora Public School District will receive $400,000 in grant funding to replace the school's heating system.

Tioga Public School District will receive $279,000 to expand and remodel its kitchen and cafeteria.

Powers Lake Public School District will receive $400,000 in grant funding to renovate its high school for additional classrooms.

South Prairie will receive $250,000 in grant funding to pay for portable classrooms.

Williston State College received $1.75 million to construct a new building dedicated to workforce training programs. Williston State also received $250,000 to demolish a vacant residence hall.

Minot State University will receive $1 million to enhance campus security measures.

"These grants are an important part of a larger state commitment to help meet the many challenges that are created by rapid growth in the state's oil and gas region," said Dalrymple in the press release. "With the Energy Impact Grant Fund we can tackle a wide range of challenges. At the same time, we recognize that the challenges from rapid growth are very dynamic and we must always be prepared to adapt our response to meet the region's needs."

Dalrymple is chairman of the state Land Board. Other members of the Land Board are Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Secretary of State Al Jaeger, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler and state Treasurer Kelly Schmidt.

The Land Board has set aside $25 million in Energy Impact Grant funds for Oil Patch Schools during the 2013-2015 biennium. The state also is providing $13.6 million in grants to schools throughout the state that are challenged by rapid growth in student enrollments. Most schools currently qualifying for the formula-based funding assistance are located in western North Dakota.